Written Answers Monday 20 June 2005

Scottish Executive

Advertising

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were broadcast on commercial television in each month from January to April and from 1 to 5 May 2005; what the subject was of each advertisement; how often each advertisement was broadcast, giving the total number of broadcasting slots and the duration of each slot; how much each advertisement cost to produce, including agency costs, and how much it cost to broadcast each advertisement.

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were broadcast on commercial television in each month from January to April and from 1 to 5 May 2004; what the subject was of each advertisement; how often each advertisement was broadcast, giving the total number of broadcasting slots and the duration of each slot; how much each advertisement cost to produce, including agency costs, and how much it cost to broadcast each advertisement.

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were placed in local newspapers from 1 January to 5 May 2005, excluding recruitment campaigns and the publication of statutory notices; what the subject was of each such advertisement; how often each advertisement was placed; how much it cost to produce each advertisement, including advertising agency costs, and how much it cost to place each advertisement.

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were placed in local newspapers from 1 January to 5 May 2004, excluding recruitment campaigns and the publication of statutory notices; what the subject was of each advertisement; how often each advertisement was placed; how much it cost to produce each advertisement, including advertising agency costs, and how much it cost to place each advertisement.

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were placed in national print media from 1 January to 5 May 2005, excluding recruitment campaigns and the publication of statutory notices; what the subject was of each advertisement; how often each advertisement was placed; how much it cost to produce each advertisement, including advertising agency costs, and how much it cost to place each advertisement.

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of it and its agencies’ advertisements were placed in national print media from 1 January to 5 May 2004, excluding recruitment campaigns and the publication of statutory notices; what the subject was of each advertisement; how often each advertisement was placed; how much it cost to produce each advertisement, including advertising agency costs, and how much it cost to place each advertisement.

Mr Tom McCabe: The information requested is detailed in the table: Local, National and Television media a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 36815).

Audit Scotland

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit of Audit Scotland is and how much financial support it received in 2004-05.

Mr Tom McCabe: These are not matters for Scottish ministers. Audit Scotland was established under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 to provide audit services on behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission. Audit Scotland is therefore responsible to them for the performance of these duties. The resourcing of Audit Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Commission for Public Audit.

Dentistry

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that its procedures for communicating with general dental practitioners operate effectively.

Rhona Brankin: : The Health Department has a number of means of communicating with general dental practitioners but recognise that improvements can be made, particularly in light of the recently published Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland . I have undertaken to write directly to dentists about the action plan and the department will also be issuing regular information bulletins to keep dentists up to date with the Executive’s progress on implementing the plan.

Education

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fourth year pupils left school before the age of 16 in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Peter Peacock: The table shows the number of pupils in S4 who left school before they were sixteen, from 1999-2000 to 2003-04. Over these five years the data show that the vast majority (90%) of these pupils had their 16th birthday falling between March 1 and September 30 of that school year.

  Around 3% of pupils leaving school in S4 are below the minimum age as set out in legislation. It is possible that many of the pupils in this group may have been incorrectly recorded as S4 leavers, as they turned 16 between October and February but had gone on to FE in another establishment.

  Arrangements for leaving age are set out in section 33 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Under the arrangements, if a pupil becomes 16 between:

  March 1 and September 30, then compulsory education ends on May 31 of the same year. This means that the youngest pupils in this group could leave school around four months short of their 16th birthday.

  October 1 and February 28/29, then compulsory education ends the day before the Christmas holidays between those two dates. This means that the youngest pupils in this group could leave school around two months short of their 16th birthday. Pupils in this group will normally leave school having completed one term in S5.

  Number of S4 School Leavers Who Were Less Than 16 Years of Age on Their Recorded Leaving Date, 1999-2000 to 2003-04 by Local Authority (Publicly Funded and Grant-Aided Schools Only)

  

Local Authority
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen City
318
246
220
241
240


Aberdeenshire
310
292
307
283
302


Angus
151
160
142
149
152


Argyll and Bute
72
41
57
55
54


Clackmannanshire
65
72
59
76
80


Dumfries and Galloway
247
268
200
207
217


Dundee City
224
235
227
195
226


East Ayrshire
162
108
128
107
115


East Dunbartonshire
109
71
108
112
105


East Lothian
90
116
95
100
116


East Renfrewshire
67
51
51
61
62


Edinburgh City
404
317
327
428
370


Eilean Siar
31
21
30
28
50


Falkirk
174
148
149
138
115


Fife
464
444
389
440
478


Glasgow City
793
697
644
620
699


Highland
268
241
224
253
235


Inverclyde
118
85
85
87
70


Midlothian
152
99
112
126
134


Moray
97
137
104
119
132


North Ayrshire
207
157
145
159
187


North Lanarkshire
438
388
415
429
418


Orkney Islands
31
21
14
34
39


Perth and Kinross
120
135
119
126
117


Renfrewshire
245
225
204
195
210


Scottish Borders
127
100
118
149
145


Shetland Islands
26
29
32
34
26


South Ayrshire
160
116
124
127
123


South Lanarkshire
410
369
372
323
333


Stirling
74
49
77
75
64


West Dunbartonshire
109
104
108
119
129


West Lothian
264
212
240
208
195


Jordanhill
0
2
1
0
0


Scotland
6,527
5,756
5,627
5,803
5,938



  Note: 1. Pupils’ age on the day they leave school is calculated using their date of birth and their leaving date as recorded by the school. The leaving dates are unavailable for 1999-2000 so information on the data for those years has been calculated with 31 December 1999, 31 March 2000 and 31 May 2000 being assumed as the leaving dates for terms 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Employment

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the (a) numbers and (b) unemployment rates of claimants in each ward of (i) Glasgow City Council and (ii) Aberdeenshire Council in each year since 1999, using claimant count as the basis for such calculations.

Mr Jim Wallace: : The claimant count unemployment numbers and rates for each ward in Glasgow City Council and Aberdeenshire Council are provided in the following four tables.

  Claimant count figures are available on a monthly basis; May 2005 is the latest data available. The tables show the claimant count unemployment numbers and rates for May in each year from 1999 to 2005.

  Table 1 Claimant Count Unemployment Number for Wards1 in Aberdeenshire Council

  

Ward
May 1999
May 2000
May 2001
May 2002
May 2003
May 2004
May 2005


Macduff-Gardenstown
63
60
34
48
56
69
49


Aberchirder-King Edward
65
73
45
42
52
57
54


Banff-Hilton
80
78
66
59
74
82
76


Fordyce-Boyndie
43
48
30
37
32
39
25


Turriff
45
56
40
32
45
41
33


Upper Ythan
62
57
40
35
42
53
40


Central Buchan
47
39
32
26
36
43
41


Deer
56
63
49
31
42
46
32


Meethill-Glendaveny
94
95
80
45
69
61
52


Clerkhill
86
75
51
50
46
46
36


Kirktown-Roanheads
176
165
121
115
122
128
127


Buchanhaven-Catto
95
94
78
64
71
56
86


Fraserburgh East
74
45
47
48
52
48
50


Fraserburgh West
107
91
68
53
69
66
59


Buchan North East
34
38
22
34
20
10
28


Buchan North
74
80
43
52
46
46
48


Cruden-Boddam
79
96
60
46
64
37
34


Longside-Rattray
48
38
28
47
43
32
31


Huntly
95
98
81
67
57
54
41


Strathbogie
71
67
49
47
48
48
41


Upper Donside
48
54
44
32
36
22
27


Lower Donside
59
76
46
55
44
53
38


Echt and Skene
33
30
23
21
24
32
18


Westhill
31
34
14
12
16
17
19


Newmachar and Kinellar
34
45
28
18
22
30
21


Kintore
30
42
24
31
44
36
22


South Inverurie
55
60
36
29
37
39
27


North Inverurie
48
43
35
24
35
32
30


West Garioch
53
61
40
28
35
40
31


East Garioch
54
57
42
21
34
41
33


Ythan
52
65
35
18
41
60
35


Ellon
45
42
24
23
18
33
17


North Formartine
53
50
24
29
39
45
29


South Formartine
35
32
26
19
17
26
12


Upper Deeside
25
21
15
20
16
14
13


Mid Deeside
20
22
15
22
17
17
17


Aboyne and Cromar
28
37
33
15
19
28
17


Banchory
29
33
27
12
17
19
16


Feughdee
29
37
17
17
19
17
14


Lower Deeside
85
71
36
34
38
41
49


Newtonbervie
60
88
47
50
40
38
34


Inverbervie and Johnshaven
54
65
45
42
46
46
26


Mearns South and St Cyrus
68
68
43
36
46
45
46


Mearns West and Marykirk
65
78
73
41
47
47
43


Stonehaven North
50
51
24
28
46
40
40


Kinneff and Stonehaven South
64
57
35
44
40
38
27



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Note: 1. 1991 frozen wards.

  Table 2 Claimant Count Unemployment Number for Wards1 in Glasgow City Council

  

Ward
May 1999
May 2000
May 2001
May 2002
May 2003
May 2004
May 2005


Drumry
388
354
302
318
343
324
271


Summerhill
432
310
249
210
231
214
191


Blairdardie
267
249
212
211
200
197
144


Knightscliffe
298
256
249
253
291
235
225


Yoker
364
361
312
307
338
363
278


Knightswood
345
307
270
273
298
264
265


Scotstoun
366
338
330
374
369
369
325


Broomhill
249
270
243
258
281
230
202


Kelvindale
150
154
132
136
113
112
122


Kelvinside
211
179
165
155
161
136
114


Summerston
390
347
283
289
377
325
321


Maryhill
471
421
371
334
388
371
360


Milton
422
380
339
311
306
286
270


Ruchill
481
369
313
284
290
278
265


North Kelvin
490
400
383
341
389
356
351


Woodlands
414
334
301
278
264
253
222


Partick
420
384
333
334
314
308
276


Anderston
561
548
461
449
426
416
397


Springburn
365
324
307
293
286
279
265


Robroyston
506
463
410
345
338
309
301


Keppochhill
659
527
420
410
471
441
398


Cowlairs
566
558
481
400
433
366
387


Alexandra Park
469
458
391
334
318
338
329


Dennistoun
416
424
379
328
315
303
302


Central
506
474
399
408
440
397
384


Calton
434
409
361
342
366
336
294


Belvidere
435
355
316
288
262
212
164


Carntyne
320
324
289
265
253
270
224


Parkhead
403
387
363
358
362
311
293


Shettleston
361
332
307
322
323
298
267


Lethamhill
482
463
393
374
319
313
307


Riddrie
181
181
171
167
174
164
132


Queenslie
329
327
261
216
231
227
209


Barlanark
424
382
343
320
303
292
308


Mount Vernon
354
308
300
257
268
242
224


Baillieston
280
252
247
257
215
195
182


Gartloch
394
320
287
222
226
190
179


Easterhouse
483
431
385
301
292
284
252


Drumoyne
332
250
214
220
224
221
222


Govan
636
531
452
463
445
458
480


Penilee
335
287
248
261
249
203
207


Cardonald
271
222
192
195
188
166
204


Mosspark
280
224
203
198
180
173
153


Bellahouston
377
358
265
234
287
206
231


Pollock
426
383
338
289
325
252
266


Cowglen
381
350
260
287
231
198
206


South Nitshill
275
240
194
199
193
179
185


Arden
600
564
485
458
430
361
355


Pollokshields
316
265
232
202
239
206
199


Shawlands
221
201
180
162
166
145
129


Kingston
508
449
402
374
345
356
343


Hutchesontown
572
538
427
336
364
370
326


Queen’s Park
384
358
303
273
262
237
226


Crosshill
578
513
379
353
330
312
297


Pollokshaws
387
378
328
296
295
289
295


Newlands
190
204
150
167
184
136
137


King’s Park
308
270
254
235
229
221
194


Aikenhead
124
98
100
120
120
89
96


Toryglen
429
408
293
318
296
282
303


Linn Park
189
204
155
150
142
172
151


Castlemilk
200
207
178
155
148
168
141


Glenwood
308
283
250
241
193
200
189



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Note: 1. 1991 frozen wards.

  Table 3 Claimant Count Unemployment Rate1 for Wards2 in Aberdeenshire Council

  

Ward
May 1999
May 2000
May 2001
May 2002
May 2003
May 2004
May 2005


Macduff-Gardenstown
2.8%
2.6%
1.5%
2.0%
2.4%
3.0%
2.1%


Aberchirder-King Edward
2.5%
2.8%
1.7%
1.6%
2.0%
2.2%
2.1%


Banff-Hilton
3.5%
3.3%
2.8%
2.5%
3.2%
3.5%
3.3%


Fordyce-Boyndie
2.1%
2.4%
1.5%
1.8%
1.6%
1.9%
1.2%


Turriff
1.6%
2.0%
1.4%
1.1%
1.6%
1.4%
1.2%


Upper Ythan
2.7%
2.4%
1.7%
1.5%
1.7%
2.2%
1.7%


Central Buchan
2.1%
1.7%
1.4%
1.1%
1.5%
1.8%
1.8%


Deer
2.0%
2.3%
1.7%
1.1%
1.4%
1.6%
1.1%


Meethill-Glendaveny
2.9%
2.9%
2.4%
1.3%
2.0%
1.7%
1.5%


Clerkhill
3.7%
3.2%
2.1%
2.1%
2.0%
1.9%
1.5%


Kirktown-Roanheads
8.5%
7.9%
5.8%
5.4%
5.7%
6.0%
6.0%


Buchanhaven-Catto
4.3%
4.2%
3.5%
2.8%
3.2%
2.5%
3.8%


Fraserburgh East
3.4%
2.0%
2.1%
2.1%
2.4%
2.2%
2.3%


Fraserburgh West
6.0%
5.0%
3.7%
2.9%
3.7%
3.5%
3.1%


Buchan North East
1.4%
1.6%
0.9%
1.4%
0.8%
0.4%
1.2%


Buchan North
2.3%
2.4%
1.3%
1.6%
1.3%
1.3%
1.4%


Cruden-Boddam
3.0%
3.6%
2.3%
1.7%
2.3%
1.3%
1.2%


Longside-Rattray
2.3%
1.8%
1.3%
2.1%
2.0%
1.5%
1.4%


Huntly
4.4%
4.5%
3.7%
3.0%
2.7%
2.5%
1.9%


Strathbogie
3.7%
3.5%
2.5%
2.4%
2.5%
2.5%
2.1%


Upper Donside
2.0%
2.2%
1.8%
1.3%
1.5%
0.9%
1.1%


Lower Donside
2.2%
2.8%
1.7%
2.0%
1.5%
1.8%
1.3%


Echt and Skene
1.2%
1.0%
0.8%
0.7%
0.8%
1.0%
0.6%


Westhill
1.3%
1.4%
0.6%
0.5%
0.6%
0.6%
0.7%


Newmachar and Kinellar
1.5%
1.9%
1.2%
0.8%
0.9%
1.2%
0.9%


Kintore
1.3%
1.8%
1.0%
1.3%
1.8%
1.5%
0.9%


South Inverurie
2.6%
2.8%
1.7%
1.3%
1.7%
1.8%
1.3%


North Inverurie
1.9%
1.7%
1.4%
0.9%
1.3%
1.2%
1.1%


West Garioch
1.8%
2.0%
1.3%
0.9%
1.1%
1.3%
1.0%


East Garioch
2.0%
2.1%
1.5%
0.8%
1.2%
1.4%
1.2%


Ythan
1.8%
2.2%
1.2%
0.6%
1.3%
1.9%
1.1%


Ellon
2.0%
1.9%
1.1%
1.0%
0.7%
1.4%
0.7%


North Formartine
2.0%
1.9%
0.9%
1.1%
1.4%
1.6%
1.0%


South Formartine
2.0%
1.8%
1.5%
1.0%
0.9%
1.4%
0.6%


Upper Deeside
1.8%
1.5%
1.0%
1.4%
1.1%
1.0%
0.9%


Mid Deeside
1.2%
1.3%
0.9%
1.2%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%


Aboyne and Cromar
1.4%
1.9%
1.7%
0.8%
1.0%
1.5%
0.9%


Banchory
1.2%
1.3%
1.1%
0.5%
0.7%
0.7%
0.6%


Feughdee
1.2%
1.5%
0.7%
0.7%
0.8%
0.7%
0.6%


Lower Deeside
2.6%
2.1%
1.1%
1.0%
1.1%
1.1%
1.4%


Newtonbervie
1.8%
2.6%
1.4%
1.4%
1.1%
1.1%
1.0%


Inverbervie and Johnshaven
3.3%
3.9%
2.7%
2.5%
2.7%
2.7%
1.5%


Mearns South and St Cyrus
4.1%
4.0%
2.5%
2.1%
2.7%
2.6%
2.7%


Mearns West and Marykirk
3.4%
4.0%
3.7%
2.1%
2.3%
2.3%
2.1%


Stonehaven North
1.9%
1.9%
0.9%
1.0%
1.7%
1.4%
1.5%


Kinneff and Stonehaven South
2.3%
2.0%
1.2%
1.5%
1.4%
1.3%
0.9%



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. Rates for wards are calculated using the claimant count unemployment level as the numerator, and a measure of economically active residents as the denominator.

  2. 1991 frozen wards.

  Table 4 Claimant Count Unemployment Rate1 for Wards2 in Glasgow City Council

  

Ward
May 1999
May 2000
May 2001
May 2002
May 2003
May 2004
May 2005


Drumry
14.6%
13.1%
11.0%
11.6%
12.3%
11.8%
9.9%


Summerhill
13.8%
9.7%
7.6%
6.4%
6.9%
6.5%
5.8%


Blairdardie
6.8%
6.2%
5.2%
5.2%
4.9%
4.9%
3.6%


Knightscliffe
5.9%
5.0%
4.8%
4.8%
5.7%
4.6%
4.4%


Yoker
7.8%
7.6%
6.4%
6.3%
6.9%
7.4%
5.7%


Knightswood
8.2%
7.2%
6.2%
6.2%
7.0%
6.3%
6.3%


Scotstoun
6.9%
6.3%
6.0%
6.8%
6.6%
6.6%
5.9%


Broomhill
4.3%
4.5%
4.0%
4.2%
4.5%
3.7%
3.3%


Kelvindale
2.3%
2.3%
2.0%
2.0%
1.6%
1.6%
1.8%


Kelvinside
3.8%
3.2%
2.9%
2.7%
2.6%
2.2%
1.9%


Summerston
6.0%
5.2%
4.2%
4.3%
5.5%
4.7%
4.7%


Maryhill
11.2%
9.8%
8.5%
7.7%
8.9%
8.6%
8.4%


Milton
8.9%
7.9%
6.9%
6.3%
6.2%
5.9%
5.6%


Ruchill
10.7%
8.1%
6.7%
6.1%
6.3%
6.1%
5.8%


North Kelvin
8.7%
7.0%
6.5%
5.8%
6.4%
6.0%
5.9%


Woodlands
10.0%
7.9%
6.9%
6.5%
5.9%
5.7%
5.0%


Partick
7.6%
6.8%
5.8%
5.8%
5.2%
5.2%
4.7%


Anderston
10.2%
9.8%
8.0%
7.8%
7.3%
7.2%
6.9%


Springburn
8.2%
7.2%
6.7%
6.3%
6.3%
6.2%
5.9%


Robroyston
8.4%
7.6%
6.6%
5.5%
5.4%
5.0%
4.9%


Keppochhill
15.0%
11.8%
9.2%
8.9%
10.2%
9.7%
8.8%


Cowlairs
13.8%
13.3%
11.2%
9.3%
10.0%
8.5%
9.1%


Alexandra Park
11.5%
11.0%
9.2%
7.9%
7.5%
8.0%
7.9%


Dennistoun
7.1%
7.1%
6.2%
5.4%
5.1%
5.0%
5.0%


Central
11.3%
10.4%
8.5%
8.7%
9.6%
8.8%
8.5%


Calton
10.0%
9.3%
8.0%
7.6%
8.2%
7.6%
6.7%


Belvidere
15.0%
12.1%
10.5%
9.6%
8.8%
7.2%
5.6%


Carntyne
7.5%
7.5%
6.5%
6.0%
5.9%
6.3%
5.2%


Parkhead
9.1%
8.6%
7.9%
7.7%
7.8%
6.7%
6.4%


Shettleston
7.5%
6.8%
6.2%
6.4%
6.5%
6.0%
5.4%


Lethamhill
9.7%
9.2%
7.6%
7.2%
6.1%
6.1%
6.0%


Riddrie
4.6%
4.6%
4.2%
4.1%
4.4%
4.2%
3.4%


Queenslie
9.2%
9.0%
7.0%
5.8%
6.2%
6.2%
5.7%


Barlanark
12.4%
11.0%
9.7%
9.0%
8.3%
8.1%
8.6%


Mount Vernon
4.1%
3.5%
3.3%
2.8%
2.9%
2.7%
2.5%


Baillieston
3.8%
3.4%
3.3%
3.4%
2.8%
2.5%
2.4%


Gartloch
12.3%
9.8%
8.6%
6.7%
6.6%
5.6%
5.3%


Easterhouse
12.4%
10.9%
9.5%
7.5%
7.0%
6.9%
6.1%


Drumoyne
7.7%
5.7%
4.7%
4.9%
5.0%
4.9%
5.0%


Govan
12.2%
10.0%
8.3%
8.5%
8.2%
8.5%
9.0%


Penilee
6.4%
5.4%
4.6%
4.8%
4.6%
3.8%
3.9%


Cardonald
4.9%
3.9%
3.3%
3.4%
3.2%
2.8%
3.5%


Mosspark
6.8%
5.3%
4.7%
4.6%
4.2%
4.1%
3.6%


Bellahouston
8.8%
8.2%
5.9%
5.2%
6.4%
4.6%
5.2%


Pollock
10.1%
8.9%
7.7%
6.6%
7.4%
5.8%
6.2%


Cowglen
6.9%
6.2%
4.5%
5.0%
4.1%
3.5%
3.7%


South Nitshill
6.8%
5.8%
4.6%
4.7%
4.5%
4.2%
4.4%


Arden
11.6%
10.7%
9.1%
8.5%
7.8%
6.6%
6.5%


Pollokshields
5.4%
4.5%
3.8%
3.3%
3.9%
3.3%
3.3%


Shawlands
4.6%
4.1%
3.6%
3.2%
3.2%
2.8%
2.5%


Kingston
13.8%
12.0%
10.5%
9.8%
9.0%
9.4%
9.1%


Hutchesontown
12.2%
11.2%
8.7%
6.9%
7.5%
7.6%
6.8%


Queen’s Park
6.0%
5.5%
4.6%
4.1%
3.8%
3.5%
3.3%


Crosshill
10.8%
9.4%
6.8%
6.3%
5.8%
5.6%
5.3%


Pollokshaws
7.7%
7.4%
6.3%
5.6%
5.7%
5.6%
5.8%


Newlands
3.1%
3.3%
2.4%
2.6%
2.8%
2.1%
2.1%


King’s Park
4.8%
4.1%
3.8%
3.5%
3.3%
3.2%
2.8%


Aikenhead
2.6%
2.0%
2.0%
2.4%
2.4%
1.8%
1.9%


Toryglen
8.4%
7.9%
5.5%
6.0%
5.6%
5.4%
5.8%


Linn Park
6.8%
7.2%
5.3%
5.2%
4.8%
5.9%
5.2%


Castlemilk
5.6%
5.7%
4.8%
4.2%
3.9%
4.5%
3.8%


Glenwood
11.5%
10.4%
8.9%
8.7%
6.8%
7.1%
6.8%



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. Rates for wards are calculated using the claimant count unemployment level as the numerator, and a measure of economically active residents as the denominator.

  2. 1991 frozen wards.

Environment

Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the current levels of nitrogen dioxide in Glasgow.

Lewis Macdonald: : The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland sets out a comprehensive framework of policy measures which aims to improve air quality across the whole of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

  The Executive is working closely with local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and others to implement these policies.

Environment

Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will produce an air safety plan to address nitrogen dioxide levels in Glasgow, as requested by the European Commission.

Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its plan to address nitrogen dioxide levels.

Lewis Macdonald: : In line with the requirements of EU legislation, the UK Government submitted its second air quality plan to the European Commission in January 2005. A copy of the report can be accessed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/pdf/plans-1daughter.pdf .

  The plan sets out measures that are being taken by the Executive and other UK administrations to meet the air quality limit values for nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants by their required dates, and includes Glasgow City Council’s air quality action plan.

Fisheries

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of illegal fishing were reported in the North Sea in each of the last three years.

Ross Finnie: : The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency submitted the following number of case reports to the Procurator Fiscal Service in the last three financial years in connection with breaches of fisheries regulations by vessels operating in the North Sea.

  

Financial Year
Number of Cases Reported to COPFS


2002-03
37


2003-04
72


2004-05
81

General Practitioners

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of the Kerr report will be for the whole-time equivalent number of general practitioners (GPs) and the balance between GPs and hospital doctors in training.

Mr Andy Kerr: : The Kerr report, Building a Health Service Fit for the Future , presents some of the workforce implications of its recommendations for NHS Scotland. For example, it suggests that competencies in case-management and care co-ordination need to be developed further, as will GPs with Special Interests.

  The implementation plan for the Kerr report will be brought forward later this year. Work into the precise workforce implications will be informed by that implementation plan.

Health

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to map the needs of people with communication impairments but who do not have sensory impairments.

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to determine the numbers of people with communication impairments but who do not have sensory impairments.

Mr Andy Kerr: : The Executive does not manage the care of people with communications impairments directly. The planning and provision of services is a matter for NHS boards based on their assessment of local needs.

Health

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in implementing the recommendations in Professor McEwan’s report on chronic pain sufferers and the management of their pain.

Mr Andy Kerr: : The Executive has made Professor McEwen’s report available to NHS boards and will be convening a conference to discuss best practice on pain management on 8 July 2005.

Higher Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of secondary school graduates (a) enrolled in a university in Scotland, (b) enrolled in a university elsewhere and (c) did not enrol in a university.

Mr Jim Wallace: This information is not held centrally.

  However, information on the percentage of Scottish school leavers entering higher education can be found in the Statistics Publication Notice Destinations of Leavers from Scottish Schools: 2003-04 published by the Scottish Executive on 6 December 2004. Copies are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 34816). Table 6 of the publication shows for 2003-04 that 29% of leavers entered full-time higher education.

  Specific data on enrolment at Scottish institutions is not available, however, data from the Statistics Publication Notice Students in Higher Education in Scotland 2003-04 show that 94% of all Scottish domiciled first degree entrants to higher education institutions in the UK began their studies at a Scottish institution. See Table 17 at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/05/10152247/22483.

Hospitals

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for its decision to expand health care facilities at Stracathro Ambulatory Diagnostic Treatment Centre through the private sector and not the NHS.

Mr Andy Kerr: : There are two main reasons for the proposed utilisation of the independent health care sector in the provision of services at Stracathro Hospital:

  The first is due to lack of available appropriate staffing resource within the NHS in Scotland. It is expected that the independent health care sector will be able to provide the additional requirement that NHSScotland is unable to deliver quickly.

  The second is to provide the opportunity to test the market in terms of innovative solutions which may be available through the independent sector which are not currently available in the NHS.

  Stracathro Hospital site has existing available capacity in terms of theatres and appropriate buildings that could be utilised to treat patients from Tayside, Grampian and Fife Health Board areas. This approach will provide additional capacity for patients when they need it.

Housing

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the availability of affordable housing after changes in the rules that allow self-invested pensions to invest in residential property come into force.

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what it the impact will be on the availability of affordable housing when changes in the rules that allow self-invested pensions to invest in residential property come into force.

Malcolm Chisholm: : The UK Government’s Regulatory Impact Assessment Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions was published in April 2004 and can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/simplifying-pensions.pdf . The assessment concluded that it is unlikely that there will be a significant inflow of pension capital into the residential property market when the changes to pension rules are introduced in 2006. The Executive does not, therefore, expect that the changes will have a significant effect on the availability of affordable housing in Scotland.

Identity Cards

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Identity Cards Programme Team, what issues were discussed and what decisions were taken.

Mr Tom McCabe: : The Scottish Executive liaises regularly with the Identity Cards Programme Team. Representatives from Public Service Reform and Efficiency Division and the General Register Office for Scotland have attended a workshop on the mechanics of how the ID Card Scheme might operate and a member of the ID Cards Programme Team has given two presentations to Senior Scottish Executive officials.

  The Executive is represented on the Home Office Principal User Group and Strategy Board on Identity Cards. This has enabled the Scottish Executive to ensure that proposals under the Identity Cards Bill do not impact on Scottish devolved matters.

Legal Services Ombudsman

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman’s office was in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03, (d) 2003-04 and (e) 2004-05 and what the projected costs are for 2005-06.

Hugh Henry: The costs are provided in the Annual Reports of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman for 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 14580, 22484, 28277, 33250). The reports are also available at http://www.slso.org.uk/reports.html .

  The Annual Report to be published in July will provide the costs for 2004-5. The current budget for the Ombudsman’s office in 2005-6 is £374,520.

Legal Services Ombudsman

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman sets herself in respect of (a) responding to correspondence, (b) investigating a handling complaint and (c) producing an opinion on a handling complaint.

Hugh Henry: The ombudsman’s current targets are:

  (a) To acknowledge new complaints within two working days of receipt and to answer letters about current cases within five working days of receipt.

  (b) and (c) to complete 75% of Opinions within eight weeks and 95% of Opinions within 13 weeks.

  Targets are set out in the Annual Reports of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman for 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 14580, 22484, 28277, 33250) or on the ombudsman’s website at http://www.slso.org.uk/reports.html.

Legal Services Ombudsman

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman employed in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03, (d) 2003-04 and (e) 2004-05 and how many she expects to employ in 2005-06.

Hugh Henry: The Ombudsman’s staff complement in 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 was two full-time complaints investigators and a part-time office secretary. In 2003-04 the staff complement was increased to four full-time complaints investigators and the part-time office secretary. The staff complement remained at that level in 2004-05 until it was augmented in January 2005 by the employment of a temporary full-time complaints investigator on a fixed term contract. In 2005-06 the staff complement has been increased by two additional full-time complaints investigators.

  The information on (a), (b), (c) and (d) is available in the Annual Reports of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman for 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-3, 2003-4, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 14580, 22484, 28277, 33250) and on the Ombudsman’s website at http://www.slso.org.uk/reports.html.

Legal Services Ombudsman

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many opinions the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman issued in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03, (d) 2003-04 and (e) 2004-05.

Hugh Henry: The figures are as follows:

  

2000-01
164


2001-02
169


2002-03
210


2003-04
323



  These figures are given in the Annual Reports of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman for 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 14580, 22484, 28277, 33250). They are also available at http://www.slso.org.uk/reports.html. The figure for 2004-05 will be provided in the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for that year which is to be published in July.

Mental Health

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive how and why a decision was reached to overturn the proposal to relocate the Mental Welfare Commission from Edinburgh to Falkirk and whether it will provide an assurance that further consideration will be given to this proposal.

Rhona Brankin: The Mental Welfare Commission assessed various options as part of the review of their location carried out in line with Scottish Executive relocation policy. On the basis of the commission’s review Scottish ministers were of the view that the commission should relocate. The commission took the decision not to relocate on 6 June. As the commission is an independent body and ministers have no direction making powers in relation to it, the decision over whether or not to relocate was for the commission itself to make.

  I have indicated that the commission will be invited to reconsider its location once the new Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is fully operational in about two years’ time.

Mental Health

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the collection of data in respect of psychological intervention or other non-pharmacological therapies has been standardised across NHS boards.

Rhona Brankin: : I refer the member to the answers to questions S2W-5899, S2W-2641 and S2W-5135 on 10 February 2004, 1 October 2003 and 20 January 2004 respectively. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search .

  This data is not currently available. The Improving Mental Health Information Programme is working with the NHS boards locally and nationally to standardise the information. Data sets are now being tested with outcomes expected by 2007.

NHS Funding

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16847 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 June 2005, why NHS Western Isles received £497 per person more than NHS Orkney in 2004-05.

Mr Andy Kerr: : The Arbuthnott formula allocates resources to health boards in Scotland by determining their relative need for funding. The formula is based on a board’s population but adjusted for factors that determine relative need for health care. These factors are the age structure of the population and relative number of males and females, the level of deprivation and an adjustment to take into account the additional costs of delivering health care in remote and rural areas.

  Based on the indicators which contribute to the Arbuthnott formula, the Western Isles has, relative to Orkney, a higher proportion of population characteristics which indicate the need for more health care resources. Western Isles also has higher levels of deprivation and remoteness. These adjustments result in higher per capita funding for Western Isles.

National Health Service

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what formulae it will use when calculating tariffs for NHS treatments and procedures.

Mr Andy Kerr: : The Executive intend to introduce tariffs for activity where patients from one board area are treated in another, on a phased basis, from 2005-06. These tariffs will also be used to benchmark costs within health boards. Work is underway to consider the methodology which will be used to calculate the tariffs but no final decision has yet been made on the most appropriate approach.

National Health Service

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out a cost analysis of the implementation of the Kerr report’s recommendations and, if so, whether it will place it in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Mr Andy Kerr: : An Economics Commentary on the main themes of the Kerr report was prepared by Dr. Andrew Walker of the University of Glasgow. This can be found with the Kerr report’s supporting papers at http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/nationalframework/Reports.htm .

  The Scottish Executive is currently working on an implementation plan for Building a Health Service fit for the Future which will be brought forward later this year.

Non-Domestic Rates

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will update the information contained in Table 3.2 of Nurturing Wealth Creation: A Report by the Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group - Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue to show the nominal income from non-domestic rates in Scotland and England in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06.

Mr Tom McCabe: : The updated information on certified non-domestic rate income in Scotland and England in 2003-04 is shown in the following table. In Scotland and England, certified non-domestic rates income for 2004-05 and 2005-06 will not be available until early 2006 and 2007, respectively. Meantime, provisional forecast figures for Scotland and England in both years are shown in the following table.

  

Year
NDR Income (£000s)


Scotland
England


2003-04
1,706,480
15,323,000


2004-05
1,813,0001
16,214,0002


2005-06
1,951,0001
17,000,0002



  Source: Scottish Executive and ODPM.

  1. Figures are taken from Annex 7 of Finance Circular 08/2004, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 34705).

  2. Figures for 2004-05 are provisional and the figures for 2005-06 are based on rounded initial estimates from billing authorities.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15444 by Mr Tom McCabe on 13 April 2005, whether it will bring forward a statutory instrument to transfer any of the appointments for which it is responsible, but which fall outwith the remit of the Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments, to within the remit of the Commissioner and, if so, what appointments will be transferred and within what timescale.

Mr Tom McCabe: : The Executive intends to lay two statutory instruments before the summer recess commences on 2 July. These instruments will update the list of bodies falling within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.

Recycling

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage local authorities to provide recycling facilities for plastic bottles.

Ross Finnie: : Through the Strategic Waste Fund, we have funded a number of kerbside collections of recyclate which include plastic bottles. It is the responsibility of local authorities to draw up schemes to encourage recycling, and if they wish, to seek financial support through the Strategic Waste Fund.

Recycling

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities provide facilities for the recycling of household batteries.

Ross Finnie: : There are four local authorities providing facilities for the recycling of household batteries at recycling points and centres. These are Dumfries and Galloway, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and Western Isles. Information on recycling facilities across Scotland can be found on the "Sort-It" section of the Scottish Waste Awareness Group’s website at http://www.wascot.org.uk/ .

Recycling

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage local authorities to provide recycling facilities for household batteries.

Ross Finnie: : A number of local authorities have implemented battery collection schemes at recycling points and centres with financial support through the Strategic Waste Fund. In addition, we are providing funding to the Waste and Resources Action Programme to undertake trials of different approaches to the collection of used batteries. Details of this work are still being finalised.

Renewable Energy

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the work of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland future generation group.

Mr Jim Wallace: : The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) has completed this work and I am publishing its report today (copies of which can be obtained at the Scottish Parliament Information Centre Bib. number 36765). FREDS believes that Scotland is well placed to meet its renewable electricity targets. It concludes that a total renewables installed capacity of around 6GW will be required in order to meet our 40% target, although this should not be regarded as a cap. FREDS has confirmed that it is technically feasible for this amount of renewable generation to be contained on the electricity system without threat to security of supply.

  We remain committed to achieving our target through encouraging the development of a range of technologies. However, FREDS believes that rationing infrastructure for use by individual technologies, or setting specific targets for the contribution that these might make, is unnecessary and would be detrimental to the overall growth of the renewables industry in Scotland.

Residential Care

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a duty on all local authorities to pay a benchmark rate for social work provision in residential homes irrespective of where their residents receive that care.

Rhona Brankin: : The Scottish Executive has provided sufficient funding to enable local authorities to pay the independent care home sector agreed rates in 2004-05 of £417.37 per person per week for residents with nursing care, and £355.21 per person per week for residents without nursing care. Local authorities are at liberty to negotiate higher or lower rates, provided that they spend all the designated funds on the care home sector. In addition local authorities have funded an increase of 2% in 2005-06 and several local authorities pay more than the nationally agreed rates.

Road Accidents

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many automobile accidents reported in the last five years involved (a) drink driving and (b) speeding, broken down by police force area.

Nicol Stephen: : Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the "Stats 19 " statistical report format. These returns do not cover "damage only" accidents.

  The only figures on drink driving accidents which are available centrally are the Department for Transport’s estimates of the numbers of personal injury accidents which involved motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels. They are not produced for individual Police Force areas. The latest available estimates for Scotland appear in Table 22 of Road Accidents Scotland 2003, published by the Scottish Executive, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 34523). Table 19 provides statistics of the numbers of motorists in each police force area who were involved in injury road accidents who failed (or refused) a breath test, but such figures do not cover drink drivers who were not breath tested.

  Figures on accidents involving speeding are not available centrally.

  Traditionally, the road accident statistics returns did not record the causes of the accidents. However, the "Stats 19" specification was expanded, at the start of 2005, to include information about the factors which contribute to personal injury road accidents, such as (i) "impaired by alcohol"; (ii) "exceeding speed limit", and (iii) "travelling too fast for the conditions". In due course, therefore, the statistical system will provide information about these contributory factors for personal injury accidents.

Road Accidents

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many road traffic accidents have occurred between Tarbet and Ardlui on the A82 in each year since 1999.

Nicol Stephen: : The number of road accidents that have occurred on the A82 between Tarbet and Ardlui in each year since 1999 (from January 1999 to December 2004), broken down by level of severity is as follows:

  A82 Tarbet to Ardlui

  

Year
Fatal
Serious
Slight
Total


1999
0
6
8
14


2000
0
4
5
9


2001
0
1
7
8


2002
0
3
10
13


2003
3
5
7
15


2004
0
4
2
6


Total
3
23
39
65



  We do not hold records of non-injury accidents.

Road Accidents

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatalities have occurred as a result of road traffic accidents between Tarbet and Ardlui on the A82 in each year since 1999.

Nicol Stephen: : The number of fatalities that have occurred as a result of road accidents on the A82 between Tarbet and Ardlui in each year since 1999 (from January 1999 to December 2004), is as follows:

  A82 Tarbet to Ardlui

  

Year
Fatalities


1999
0


2000
0


2001
0


2002
0


2003
3


2004
0


Total
3

Schools

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what each local authority’s capital expenditure on schools was in each of the last five years.

Peter Peacock: : The table gives details of local authority gross capital expenditure on schools for the financial years 1999-2000 to 2003-04, compiled from local authority capital payment returns. The figures do not include Public Private Partnership projects, where the capital expenditure is incurred by the private sector partner, not the local authority.

  Education - Total Gross Capital Expenditure (Including Payments Funded From Revenue)

  

Local Authority
£000s


1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen City
4,516
2,883
2,339
3,188
3,812


Aberdeenshire
3,486
3,058
5,698
7,840
5,295


Angus
2,899
3,182
3,485
2,509
3,473


Argyll and Bute
3,336
2,530
2,894
3,003
2,612


Clackmannanshire
1,668
1,390
1,459
909
710


Dumfries and Galloway
5,456
6,445
6,802
5,901
5,659


Dundee City
4,443
2,360
3,181
5,878
9,401


East Ayrshire
2,966
2,139
2,322
3,848
3,715


East Dunbartonshire
2,648
3,777
3,233
3,861
4,554


East Lothian
5,672
2,566
2,894
1,942
2,101


East Renfrewshire
2,816
5,503
5,189
4,064
3,489


Edinburgh, City of
15,718
11,144
16,872
17,342
13,126


Eilean Siar
2,086
3,450
3,134
2,228
4,441


Falkirk
3,577
3,208
3,522
3,225
2,743


Fife
4,338
3,810
5,635
12,329
11,992


Glasgow City
9,765
15,173
10,618
10,801
29,016


Highland
9,868
8,623
8,846
8,859
7,589


Inverclyde
4,868
3,285
2,462
3,460
1,919


Midlothian
2,676
3,187
2,279
2,691
3,919


Moray
2,436
2,588
2,097
1,662
1,718


North Ayrshire
3,592
4,141
5,285
5,920
6,343


North Lanarkshire
5,798
6,949
9,218
12,520
11,808


Orkney Islands
6,226
2,689
2,097
1,384
947


Perth and Kinross
3,928
3,971
7,732
8,250
11,692


Renfrewshire
4,986
4,710
6,430
4,927
4,885


Scottish Borders
2,190
4,739
3,129
3,788
3,714


Shetland Islands
2,688
2,177
3,762
1,132
1,576


South Ayrshire
4,645
2,323
2,055
2,469
2,052


South Lanarkshire
8,422
7,592
7,273
6,034
9,673


Stirling
2,425
4,300
3,159
2,091
3,518


West Dunbartonshire
5,034
3,034
3,974
2,271
3,876


West Lothian
8,963
9,177
9,920
10,352
6,761


Scotland
154,135
146,103
158,995
166,678
188,129



  Source: As reported by local authorities on Capital Payment Returns (CPR5).

  Notes:

  1. Education includes nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  2. Figures do not include expenditure on Public Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, where the capital expenditure is incurred by the private sector partner, not the local authority. Authorities make annual payments to their PPP partners over the contract period in respect of capital works, services and on-going maintenance.

Social Inclusion

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff have been employed in social inclusion partnerships in each financial year since their inception and how much has been paid in staff salaries, broken down by partnership.

Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not held centrally.

Social Inclusion

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific programmes were delivered by the Blantyre/North Hamilton Social Inclusion Partnership in 2004-05.

Malcolm Chisholm: In 2004-05 Blantyre and North Hamilton Social Inclusion Partnership delivered on the following specific programmes:

  Employment Links Programme

  Inclusive Learning Programme

  Community Safety Programme

  Youth Health and Wellbeing Programme

  SIP Child and Family Support Programme

  Community Facilities Programme

  Community Information and Networking Programme

  Improving Parks and Play Areas

  Youth Development Programme

  Public Realm and Physical Development Programme.

Speed Limits

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make an order to lower the speed limit to 30 mph on A95 at Cromdale, as indicated on the plan sent by the Secretary of Cromdale and Advie Community Council to it on 9 February 2004, and what the reasons are for its position on the matter; whether any objections were raised by local residents during the consultation process on a proposed order; how many objections there were to the proposed order and, of these, how many were from local residents, and how much the consultation cost, including time spent by civil servants working on it.

  The Executive has provided a corrected answer which is published in the Written Answer Report on 21 June 2005: see http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-05/wa0621htm

Nicol Stephen: : As stated before, I wish to overrule the objections and proceed. It is now one year since the objections were received and officials have had more than adequate time to carryout all investigations. In the absence of this work being done timeously, I wish to confirm the order now. I appreciate that this involves a certain risk.

Suicide

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into possible causes of the increased incidence of suicide among young people in recent years.

Rhona Brankin: : In 2004 the Executive commissioned a study involving international research specialists in suicide and prevention. Building on the findings we have commissioned reviews on suicide prevention within key risk groups including a review among young people.

  The reviews will report by 2008.

Telecommunications

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any consideration has been given to amending the advice provided to planning authorities regarding the determination of planning applications in relation to telecommunication masts.

Malcolm Chisholm: It is provisionally intended that the current planning guidance in this regard will be reviewed in the latter part of 2006.

Telecommunications

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is collated locally or nationally on how many telecommunication masts are sited in each local authority area.

Malcolm Chisholm: Information on the number of telecommunications masts is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive. However, the Executive does collate statistics regarding the number of planning applications for radio telecommunications infrastructure, including ground based masts, additional antennas, roof based masts and equipment housing. I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-17104 on 14 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search.

  Planning Authorities are under no obligation to collect and hold such information, although some may keep their own registers of existing sites.

  The OFCOM Sitefinder database provides information on all operational, cellular radio transmitters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Indoor sites in public places such as airports and railway stations etc are also included http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/.

Telecommunications

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is provided to planning authorities regarding the siting of telecommunication masts.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive’s guidance on dealing with planning applications for mobile phone masts is contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 19 and Planning Advice Note 62, both entitled Radio Telecommunications . These documents are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 15218 and 16043 respectively).

Transport

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what cycle projects have been submitted for funding under the Integrated Transport Fund.

Nicol Stephen: : The Executive is not currently considering any cycle projects for funding under the Integrated Transport Fund.

Transport

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what cycle projects have been approved under the Integrated Transport Fund.

Nicol Stephen: : Awards have been given under the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF) to Cycling Scotland for its running costs, to the Bike Week Steering Group for its national programme, Sustrans for its research programme on cycling and safer routes, and the Strategic Rail Authority for fitting of cycle racks on new and existing rolling stock. Details of ITF awards are contained in the annual Report by Scottish Ministers to Parliament - Grants Paid Under Section 70 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 . Those relating to financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 28193 and 33166). A similar report in respect of financial year 2004-05 is due to be published shortly.

  The reports also contain details of those cycle projects awarded under the Public Transport Fund, resources for which are now contained in the Integrated Transport Fund.